Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
‘PM Vishwakarma’ will encourage and protect artisans preserving traditional art : Union MoS Sh. Shripad Naik
Ministry of Tourism organizes State level launch event of PM Vishwakarma Scheme in Goa
17th September 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM Vishwakarma Scheme for traditional artisans and craftspeople on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti today. During the launch, he released PM Vishwakarma logo, tagline, portal a customized stamp sheet, a tool kit e-booklet and a video. The Prime Minister also distributed Vishwakarma Certificates to 18 beneficiaries. In Goa, Shri Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Tourism, Ports, Shipping, and Waterways said that the PM Vishwakarma Scheme will encourage and protect the artisans and craftspeople of the country who are unwilling to engage in traditional business due to adversity. He was speaking at the State level launch of PM Vishwakarma Scheme, organized by Union Ministry of Tourism in Panaji.
Shri Shripad Naik said that the scheme was aimed at inclusiveness. “Artisans and craftspeople involved in the traditional work sometimes feel hesitant to continue in the business. The PM Vishwakarma Scheme encourages them to stick on to their work. The scheme also encourages youngsters to join their traditional trade. It makes it easier for them to finance their business and get training to enhance their skills,” the Minister said, noting that capital is the most important requirement for any business. He urged all those eligible to avail benefits under PM Vishwakarma. When society becomes self-dependent, the country also becomes prosperous, he added.
Shri. Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Member of Parliament  said that PM Modi has been following the ‘Antyodaya’ principle while rendering his service to the country. “The PM always thinks of the marginalized sections of society. PM Vishwakarma Scheme is to encourage artisans to grow with society”, he stated.
Shri Ravi Naik, Minister for Agriculture, Handicrafts and Civil Supplies, Government of Goa, also spoke at the event. Shri. M R Synrem IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India; Dr. V. Candevelou , Principal Secretary , Government of Goa; Shri Arvind Bugde, Director, Textiles Handicrafts and Coir, Govt of Goa; Mukesh Kumar Meena, Joint Director, Development & Facilitation Office, MSME, Madgaon; and Ayushi Kumari, Assistant Collector, North Goa, were also present on the occasion.
The PM Vishwakarma scheme, under the Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises is fully funded by the Union Government with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore. It aims to preserve and promote traditional skills, empower artisans, and contribute to the conservation of India's rich heritage and culture.
PM Vishwakarma will provide artisans with various benefits, including free registration, recognition through certificates and ID cards, skill upgradation, toolkit incentives, collateral-free credit support, concessional interest rates, and incentives for digital transactions and marketing support. The scheme is expected to strengthen the Guru-Shishya parampara  of traditional skills, enhance the quality of artisanal products, and integrate artisans into domestic and global value chains.